Knitting-needle



W. H. BROWN.

KNITTING NEEDLE.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. 1. 1918.

1,313,461.. Pdtented Aug. 19, 1919.

HG.2. a 8

l/vmwrom aw 4 M WILLIAM H. BROWN, or CLEVELAND, OHIO.

. KNITTING-NEEDLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 19, '1919.

Application fiied January 7, 1918. Serial No. 210,635.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, WILLIAM H. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knitting- Needles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to knitting needles and has for its object the provision of a new and improved knitting needle for knitting small, titbular articles such as socks, wristlets, etc. I accomplish the object of my invention by providing a single knitting needle having two curved knitting ends which are joined by a flexible body portion. This invention is an improvement on the device patented to Frank L. Sessions, No. 1,286,125, dated November 26, 1918, which is especially designed for knitting large articles.

Heretofore it has been necessary when knitting small, tubular articles by hand to employ four needles, the work being carried by three of the needles and the fourth needle being employed for knitting ofi stitches from one of the three carrying needles.

By the use of my invention, sm'all, tubular articles may be knit upon a single needle with equal or greater expedition than they can be knit upon four straight needles. A further advantage of my invention is that the needle cannot accidentally slip or drop out of a row of stitches as frequently happens with straight needles. A further advantage of my invention is that there are only two knitting ends and, consequently, the operator is not annoyed by the ends of other needles as is the case when straight needles are employed for knitting tulbular work. Another advantage of my invention is that the needle and work can be easily carried in the pocket, or in a small work bag.

My invention can be utilized for knitting small, flat work if desired, but its particular field of usefulness is in the lar articles.

My invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a plan view of one of my needles. Fig. 2 is a side view of the needle shown in Fig. 1. Figs. 3, 4, and 5 are plan views of a needle embodying my invention, illustrating different positions assumed by the ends of the needle in the operation of knitting. Fig. 6 shows a needle having a single, flexl i'ble member. Fig.

knitting of tubu- I cross-section of the knitting off point, as

7 shows a needle having a modified knitting off point; and Fig. 8 is a cross-section on line VIII of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the knitting end, and 2 the knitting off end. Both of these are bent into substantially L-shape, the straight. portions of the ends being joined by curved portions, 3 and 4 respectively. The flexible, body or work carry' ing portion of the needle is preferably made of two light, fiat, metal springs, 5, 6. It will be understood that the knitting ends are preferably made round in cross-section, but I do not limit myself to the use of such knitting ends as square or other polygonal:

shaped material may be used. In Figs. 1 and 2, I have shown the knitting off point, 7, and the knitting point, 8, both beveled on'their outer sides so asto leave their inner sides straight, clear to theends of-their points. I find this shape of point to be particularly desirable for rapid and accurate knitting. In Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive, the knitting point, 9, is shaped as in Fig. 1, but the knitting off point, 10, is merely rounded ofl". This arrangement of points is desirable where the knitting always progresses inone direction.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a needle einbodying my invention but having only a single, flexible member, 11, connecting the ends, 12, 13. The knitting point, 14, of this needle is shown with a more rounded surface than the beveled surface found on the. knitting point of the needle shown in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive.

To facilitate the entering of the knitting point into the stitches, I have found it sometimes advantageous to cut away a portion of the cylindrical knitting 05 end adjacent the knitting off point in the marmer illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8. In the needle shown in Fig. 7, the knitting Qfl' end, 15, has its point made with an inclined, flat surface, 16, standing at an angle of about de ees to the plane of the knitting ends, 15, 1 The shown in Fig. 8, is substantially D.-shape. The stitches which slide up to this end of the needle to be knitted ofl upon the knitting point, 18, retain the circular shape given to them while passing over thus permit the knitting point, 18, to more readily enter between the yarn and the surface, 16, than would be the case with a full, round, knitting off point.

the end, 1 5, and

In the use of my invention for knitting tubular articles, a suflicient. number of stitches are cast upon the knitting end of the needle to substantially fill the .entire needle from point to point, the tension put upon the yarn and its elasticity making it possible to varythe number of stitches over a considerable range. The stitches are knit now ofl from the knitting ofl end, onto the knitting end, the operation of knitting or purling, or alternate knitting and purling, as desired, being carried on until the desired length of the article has been attained. For knitting in either direction the style of points shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are preferable, while for knitting continuously in one direction the styles of points shown in Figs.

-knitting off and knitting ends from that above described.

The total length of the needle from point to point should be made to suit the girth of the article to be knitted. For the knitting of a sock, I have found that a length of approximately 8 inches is most desirable.

The needles shown in the drawings are made of. such length.

While I do not limit my invention to the use of flat, flexible material for the body portion, I have found this to be the most practical, as it gives the greatest flexibility in the plane of knitting where it is essential to have it, and still permits of the flexible, body portion being made strong enough to withstand the service required of it.

It will be understood that the flexible portion of the needle may be made integral with and of the same material as the knitting ends if desired. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A knitting needle having rigid L- shaped knitting ends joined by a flexible, work carrying portion.

2. A knitting needle having rigid L- shaped knitting ends joined by a flat, flexible, work carrying portion, the plane of the flexible portion being transverse to the plane of the knitting ends.

3. A knitting needle having rigid L- shaped knitting ends joined by two flat, flexible members, whose planes are transverse to the plane of the knitting ends.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. WILLIAM H. BROWN.

Witnesses:

FRANCES K. MANN, LUoIUs B. LANDFEAR. 

